Liverpool assistant manager Steve Clarke praises 'professional' Maxi Rodriguez

Liverpool assistant manager Steve Clarke has heaped praise on Maxi Rodriguez, after his superb display against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game

Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets!

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25

Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200

Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20!

After a fine finish to last season, the Argentine has failed to hold down a spot in Kenny Dalglish’s starting XI this season, having to make do with cameo appearances from the bench.

However, the midfielder was handed his first start of the season at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, and he didn’t disappoint, opening the scoring for the Reds, and Clarke has praised the 30-year-old’s professionalism.

He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Everybody here knows the qualities of Maxi.

"He's been unfortunate this year that he's not had an extended run in the team, but what it does say about him is that he is a complete professional.

"When you're not in the team, it's difficult to come in every day, work hard and be prepared for your chance. Maxi has worked hard every day in training.

"Not just Maxi, but all the squad of players - they've worked hard in training, they wait for their chance. When Maxi went in, he did a fantastic job for us."

Liverpool’s win at Stamford Bridge was a vital one, having taken three points from a possible nine in their last three home games.

Scorer of the winning goal, Glen Johnson, has also come in for praise from Clarke, who hailed the full-back’s drive and adventure for the goal.

He continued: "It's great when your full-backs can get forward and create chances or score goals.

"We've already spoken about how important the full-back is in the modern game in an attacking sense.

"The timing of Glen's movement was fantastic. We'd had a passage of play on the opposite side of the pitch, and when the ball came to Charlie, Glen realised there was space in front of him and he made the break to go forward. It was a fantastic pass from Charlie, and obviously Glen did the rest."

"Glen has been really unfortunate with injury this year. He's slowly getting back to where we all know that he can be.”